NextGen Native

“If it takes an hour to go to the nearest ATM, banking isn’t really on your horizon as a job option”-- Jackson Brossy

Jackson Brossy is on a mission. First, his passion to serve his people of the Navajo Nation is strong. Second, his passion for economic development across Indian Country is part of a wave to make our communities a stronger place to live.

Jackson is Navajo. He grew up on the nation in Red Mesa, and spent weekends traveling an hour, to the nearest border town for groceries and to access the closest ATM. Jackson is the Executive Director of the Navajo Nation Washington Office. He attended Stanford University and then the Harvard Kennedy School.

In this episode we discuss:

• Jackson’s roots in Red Mesa, AZ on the navajo Nation.
• The role of parents in the college application process.
• Jackson’s experience at Stanford and Harvard.
• How a Native student told him not to attend the same school they did and why.
• The motivation behind Jackson’s interest in economic development (hint: border towns & silicon valley).
• Jackson’s question of why not in Indian Country?
• The value of relationships versus “networks” and “networking.”
• What the role is for economic development in Indian Country.

To hear Jackson’s story, listen to the episode.

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(ed note: as part of the show, I try to ask the guests what challenge, or question, or idea they want to share with other NextGen Natives. Here is Jackson’s)

“Let’s start talking more about what we can do to build [our] economies. In particular tech...Lets play some offense instead of just defense.”

These ideas are meant to start conversations that hopefully turn into action. Go to NextGen Native on Facebook and become part of the conversation, or on Twitter #nextgennative.

Jourdan Bennett-Begaye is Navajo. She attends the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. Jourdan is also one of the creators of the Survival of the First Voices Festival.

Jourdan grew up in Shiprock, NM. Sports played a big role in her life as a child. She played soccer and volleyball. One came naturally, as Jourdan’s mother was a volleyball coach. Soccer was completely foreign to her and her first practice she showed up in tennis shoes and denim shorts. Both experiences are great learning environments. In one, you have access to knowledge, mentors, and opportunity. In the other, you are in an environment unfamiliar to you, you are uncomfortable, you have to open yourself to learning and growth and being comfortable being uncomfortable. I think access to structure, mentors and resources, as well as discomfort are critical to development and success. People can succeed with one or the other, but combined experiences are really springs to success.

Jourdan eventually focused on volleyball full time. She played club volleyball, traveled many hours each week to practices and tournaments. It even allowed her to travel to Australia, opening Jourdan up the world of travel.

Jourdan began college at Emory University. Her goal was to go work at the Centers for Disease Control. But she experienced culture shock, living far away from home and not being able to play volleyball due to some injuries. She transferred to Fort Lewis College, which was closer to home. But it was her last choice when initially considering what school to attend.

I asked Jourdan why that was the case. She got very real and shared a powerful story. Initially she thought Fort Lewis was “too rezzy” and she was looking for a different experience. She said during high school she felt a bit ashamed of being Native; she accepted it but felt ashamed of her identity.

Today, she has the complete opposite perspective. What caused this change? A story from her grandparents. She was visiting them one day and her grandmother told a story about how Jourdan’s Greatx2 grandmother was born on the long walk. Jourdan learned she descends from someone who survived not only the journey itself, but survived an experience where women and babies would be killed on the journey and that only half of the people on the walk survived. Jourdan realized that “she was a miracle” and that she was on Earth for a reason. The story helped her understand who she is and where she came from.

Talk about powerful and empowering. So much of our recent histories has been about survival. And we have. Suicide has been an issue for too long. Jourdan’s message that each person is a miracle, that they are here because previous generations survived is one worth sharing in our own communities.

Jourdan’s inspiration for Survival of the First Voices with a friend during a road trip. They were driving home from LA and Jourdan mentioned a new media festival that occurred in New York and that people wanted a similar event on the West Coast. They decided to do it themselves. And they did it in three months. It’s amazing to see how successful they were in implementing the festival in such a short timeframe. They just took action. So amazing. They are in the third year of the festival and continue to grow it.

Listen to the episode for more about Jourdan’s story. And be sure to check out their Facebook page for more information.

Paulette Jordan is Couer d' Alene. She is currently a member of the Idaho State legislature, and she also sits on the board of the National Indian Gaming Association. Paulette also was previously a member of her (and my) tribal council.

Paulette Jordan's family instilled leadership from an early age. But leadership for power was not the goal. Service was. Paulette demonstrates her commitment to service through the various positions she has held over the years.

Paulette was both a self-described book worm and athlete growing up. She attended a college prep high school and then attended the University of Washington. There she used sports to connect with other students as she adjusted to life in the city after growing up on the reservation.

After school, Paulette returned home and soon started to hear requests for her to serve and pursue elected positions in the community. She was elected to tribal council and in 2012 decided to run for the state legislature. Paulette was elected in 2014.

Her presence in the legislature made an immediate impact in the state. She invited the tribes to attend an annual event at the capital. It was the first time that ever occurred. She hopes her role can strengthen relationships between the state and tribes. I really believe the trend of more Natives pursuing state office is one for the future. Relationships with states are tenuous. But more tribal people in elected office at the state level can help forge stronger working relationships.

Paulette Jordan, like many NextGen Natives, discussed the role mentors have played in her life. Whether it is tribal elders and family members (Felix Aripa, Dave Matheson), previous member of the state legislature and fellow tribal member Jeanne Givens, or national leaders like Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Paulette is learning from the previous generation to further her service.

Jaynie Parrish is Navajo and the principal of Parrish Digital. You can find Parrish Digital on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Jaynie grew on Navajo Nation but moved to Phoenix to live with her dad for high school. They ended up helping each other out during this time, but you have to listen to the episode to learn how!

Jaynie utilized and participated in different programs in high school and college (and beyond). We discuss the impact these programs have on individuals. I know I definitely would not have the opportunities I’ve experienced without the programs that I was able to utilize, and Jaynie thinks the same is true for her.

One thing that stands out about Jaynie’s experience is the importance of mentors in a person’s life and career. While at ASU, Jaynie met Dr. Petersen Zah. A fellow Navajo, he mentored Jaynie and other Native students at the university. This mentorship while she was a student lasted beyond her time in school. Eventually Dr. Zah encouraged Jaynie to apply for a job with the Navajo Nation Washington Office (Jaynie was in DC for an internship with National Public Radio). Over time, she moved back to Arizona and ended up working for Dr. Zah at the university for seven years.

Jaynie decided that she wanted to pursue graduate education. She served as a fellow for the Harvard Honoring Nations program and then obtained a Masters of Public Administration at the Harvard Kennedy School. While she was at Harvard she learned about political organizing and decided that she would take a direction that was different than her original plan to pursue education leadership. Jaynie went on to work with Rock the Vote and other nonprofits.

After organizing for Rock the Vote, Jaynie realized that more and more, organizing was occurring online. Realizing that she was already doing some of this online organizing Jaynie decided to create Parrish Digital. While it’s easy to share info about what you as a person are doing, it’s not so easy to do that as an organization and even more difficult to do it well. Jaynie trains companies and organizations to manage their social media accounts and campaigns. Jaynie shares insight into using social media effectively to raise awareness, share stories, and educate people.

It was a fun conversation with someone who has a unique network intertwining throughout Indian Country and beyond.

Jim Gray is Osage. Not only is he Osage, he is the former Principal Chief. Jim is one of the few (so far) elected leaders to appear on NextGen Native. Jim served two terms as Principal Chief from 2002-2010. During that time, he led significant reforms to the Osage government, eliminating almost one hundred years of U.S. government say in who was an Osage.

I’ve shied away from interviewing elected leaders on NextGen Native. The reason is there are so many people serving or working in Indian Country that are not elected leaders that I thought they needed a spotlight of their own. However, I think Jim’s story as a former leader, in particular one who accomplished what he did as a young leader, is worth sharing his story.

It’s amazing to see how small events cascade and facilitate into life changing moments. Jim did not seriously consider college until he realized he could play tennis at the collegiate level. Sport is what pushed Jim into college and set him on his course.

Jim's first job was with his tribe as a grant writer. Eventually he found a job in the newspaper business where he found the work suited him. He continued working for the Tahlequah Daily Press for about ten years. An opportunity arose to buy his own newspaper, the Native American Times. At the time, there were only a few papers in Indian Country that were not owned and published by tribes.The Times was able to cover all tribal issues in Oklahoma and across Indian Country with a unique viewpoint.

Jim Gray ran for office after a controversial time in Osage politics. He wrote a piece that described the need for a serious alternative candidate. After reading this piece, tribal members urged Jim to run. Jim won by a handful of votes. And just like that a tribal leader was created.

Jim dove into the work of reforming the Osage government. Under his leadership, the tribe was able to enact a law at the federal level to pave the way for tribal reforms, create a commission to consider the reforms, draft a constitution, and enact it despite small pockets of resistance in the tribe. The reforms were recognized by the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development Honoring Nations program. He accomplished this as someone that had never run for office.

Jim finished third in the 2010 election. It took him some time to adjust to life outside of office. It included a stint in DC. But ultimately, he needed time away to realize what he accomplished while in office, and to appreciate life outside office.

For anyone looking to enact big changes-his story is one worth listening to and studying. For the rest of Jim’s story, check out the episode.

Jared Yazzie is Diné and the owner of OXDX Clothing. He also happens to be the brother of previous NextGen Native guest and NASA engineer, Aaron Yazzie.

Jared went to the University of Arizona on a full ride scholarship to study engineering. But after a few years, he realized that path was not for him. Jared left the university and enrolled at Pima Community College. He would transition into arts. During this time he started to sell shirts out of his car trunk. This is where the hustle of what would become OXDX began.

After college Jared went to work for a screen print shop. He continued to design and print his own shirts. On the weekends, Jared traveled to the reservation to sell his merchandise. He found that while he was onto something, not everyone was supportive. Jared had to learn how to listen to negative feedback while not internalizing it.

Originally, Jared’s company was called Overdose. The name was taken from a lyric in Lupe Fiasco’s “Baba Says Cool for Thought” where a line warns not to “overdose on the cool.” Jared found the lyrics resonated with his experience moving from the rez to a city where there was potential to overdose on everything a city has to offer. Overtime, Overdose evolved into OXDX and the name has stuck ever since.

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OXDX is building a following. Perhaps the company’s most famous design to date is the “Native Americans Discovered Columbus” tee. Jared designed it but did not understand how big of a hit it would be until Jessica Metcalf put the shirt on her Beyond Buckskin Boutique.

Another design is making a resurgence after Bobby Wilson of the 1491s wore a “Mis-Rep” shirt on The Daily Show during a segment about the R******s. That particular shirt is an homage to the Misfits, one of the Yazzie brothers’ favorite punk bands, combined with a message about misappropriation.

Yazzie is working to build his brand into something much bigger than it is currently. He wants it to be more than just a t-shirt company, and he wants it to be recognized beyond just Native communities. He is grinding to get to this point, and he is close to being able to do OXDX full time. But for now he is putting in long hours working both his day job and then doing OXDX afterwards.

This was a great conversation that ran the gamut of shifting focus, grinding to build a business, utilizing other Native companies, supporting other Native artists, and remaining true to oneself and their vision. Be sure to check out the entire episode.

Key Takeaways

• See the big picture, even when others cannot.

• Victor says find a passion and pursue it.

• Give back to your community.

Victor Rocha is a member of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians. Victor also created and runs Pechanga.Net. Chances are if you are reading this blog you are familiar with the news aggregating website. Victor created Pechanga.Net 17 years ago and has been operating it ever since.

Victor Rocha grew up in San Bernardino and was a music junkie. He spent the first few decades of his life working in the music industry. After spending some time on the East Coast, he moved back home. He was trying to figure out “what was next” after his musician days.

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Around that time, the Pechanga Band was getting into the gaming industry. After some rapid growth, Pechanga and other tribes were battling the state of California, which was trying to impose unfavorable gaming compacts on the tribes. The tribes used the state’s referendum process and took Proposition 5 to the voters in 1998. Proposition 5 passed overwhelmingly (in favor of tribes), with 64 percent of the voters supporting it.

Victor Rocha found himself at the center of information regarding the ballot initiative. The Chairman of Pechanga, Mark Maccarro, was a leading public voice for the tribes during the debate of Proposition 5. And Victor decided that he would create a website where he collected and shared information with the tribes regarding the proposition. He decided to call the website pechanga.net. California tribes found the resource valuable. After the election, someone told Victor “That website was useful! I guess we don’t need it anymore.” But in Victor’s mind, this was only the beginning.

In Pechanga.net, Victor found his calling. He realized the potential for the website. It was his way of giving back to Indian Country. Pechanga.net could be used to empower tribes to organize for political and legal purposes around information that was aggregated through his website. In 2015 this may not seem like a revolutionary idea. But Victor did it in 1998. Before Huffington Post and others. Victor estimates that only the Drudge Report was created before Pechanga.net.

Because Victor updates the site daily (at 3AM!!) the information provided through Pechanga.net was in inboxes and online as journalists, politicians and others went to work. It was when others realized he was a valuable source of information that he became not only an aggregator of information but a source of information in his own right. Before long he was being asked not only about tribal gaming but about gaming. Period.

Victor has received numerous awards and accolades for his work with Pechanga.net. He still loves the work and the service he created. I really came away from the conversation amazed at how it all came together. Victor started the website with a very focused purpose. It was only after running the website for a few months did he realize what he created. It was also early in the Internet age. He found himself at a unique moment in time for the ability to create what he did, and as he said he “rode the wave” of the internet.

Victor provides a ton of information and insight in this conversation. From lessons and insight regarding Pechanga.net to some brief thoughts on the gaming industry today, economic diversification and more. Be sure to listen to the episode to learn more about his journey.

Sharice Davids is a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin. She also is a lawyer, a former used car dealer, an entrepreneur (Hoka! Coffee), Chair of the board of directors for 12 Clans--Ho-Chunk’s Section 17 holding corporation, MMA fighter, and the Deputy Director for the Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation. Phew.

Sharice is a great example of how one’s journey can take curved routes. After spending many years abroad as a military child, she went to six different colleges before earning her degree. The remarkable thing about this though, is that each transfer was for a specific purpose such as to learn about computers, learn sign language, or play sports at a collegiate level. It was very focused, and contrary to what I think is often perception when people move around to different colleges.

Eventually Sharice earned her degree but it wasn’t long before someone at a coffee shop urged her to go to law school. Sharice attended PLSI in New Mexico prior to law school. While at PLSI, a mentor urged her to apply to Cornell Law School. Sharice doubted whether Cornell was the right school, at the time she had applied only to one. But she was admitted and ultimately went to New York.

After law school, she landed in Kansas City at the law firm now known as Dentons. She learned a lot about the law while at the firm from Steven McSloy. But Sharice also credits McSloy with showing her how to use and maneuver within spaces of power and that she could question people, institutions and even the law. Moreover that she did not have to accept it as it was. She cites this as the most valuable professional lesson she has learned. It is incredibly powerful to learn that you do not have to accept things in the world just because. I think this is a fundamental aspect of being a NextGen Native-that you have the ability to alter the course of your own life, of your career, of your community. Things are not set in stone.

Today, Sharice is the Deputy Director of Thunder Valley CDC. The organization is based on the Pine Ridge Reservation. I am not sure how many other CDC’s exist in Indian Country (let me know in the comments!), but it seems to have great potential. One of Thunder Valley’s current projects is to build a housing community on fee simple land on the reservation that is not HUD housing. Thunder Valley also has a number of programs it operates such as language, workforce development, food sovereignty, and home ownership for residents on the reservation.

The day after this post is published is the 2015 Giving Tuesday. Thunder Valley is participating in its first Giving Tuesday. If you are looking for a non-profit to support, consider supporting Thunder Valley and other Native non-profits!

This podcast could have been much longer, we didn’t even talk about Sharice’s MMA career! To hear everything we did discuss, including her work as a board member, listen to the full episode. I definitely look forward to having her back on the podcast.

Michael Adams is Hopi. He is also the the owner, along with his wife, of Gourd Jewels. The company is a jewelry business that sells online. We caught up just before Black Friday

Side Note: As the Holiday season begins, think about supporting businesses like Gourd Jewels and many other Native businesses. Gourd Jewels is having a black Friday sale, so check out their website for a discount.

One consistent theme from the conversation with Michael was his ability to analyze situations and make tough choices based on analysis and not emotion. For example, Michael attended Occidental College to play football. His goal was to make it to the NFL but after suffering an injury, he realized he should plan for something else in life.

Another example came while studying for a Ph.D. in psychology at Northern Arizona University. He realized his heart was not in it and that it was not worth the time, energy, and cost to pursue this career he thought may have been for the money.

To listen to previous episodes, listen go to www.nextgennative.com/podcast. You can also subscribe on iTunes & Stitcher

The most recent came when he was preparing to launch a podcast, but realized there were too many competing interests for his time. Something would have to give. Rather than let his business, relationships, or culture suffer, he made the tough decision.

He does have another podcast in the works, but is doing it with a partner, and more strategically.

Oh, and he also has a business. It’s cool to hear a Native entrepreneur building a life as an artist. But Michael is thinking many years down the road, and building strategically. He reminds me of the conversation with Louie Gong.

There is always something to learn from others in Indian Country. Michael’s analysis and ability to make good decisions is a great example to learn from. Check out his story by listening to the podcast.

“It wasn’t all about spirituality, all about mother nature or charity. It was ‘I’m a Native person, here are my values and I’m going to kick ass.’ It was a much more three-dimensional view of who Native people are.”

Who could get Natives to buy fewer Pendleton blankets and instead buy blankets created by Natives? Louie Gong.

Louie Gong is creating his own energy right now, and I’m digging it. Louie is Nooksack, and grew up both in Canada and the U.S. He also runs Eighth Generation, a company that makes blankets, jewelry, phone cases and more. His stuff is fresh and more importantly, Native designed and owned!

The journey to business owner and cutting-edge designer was not a straight path. Louie lived on his own in high school. Like a previous NextGen Native, he used this independence to hone his grind and hustle. Rather than falling through the cracks, he played sports, but then had to find ways to get home, pay rent, etc. His grades did suffer, however. Louie admitted that he did not like learning the way the school was trying to teach him, resulting in his poor GPA.

Despite the high school grades, Louie decided he wanted to attend college. College counselors and others did not support his zeal. Only one teacher helped him apply for colleges. Louie remembers this vividly, and it called out his inner fight and determination. Years later, Louie would attend the school no one thought he would, and got his Masters degree to become a guidance counselor. To this day, he visits the teacher who believed in him.

He continued his personal growth by traveling abroad for the first time, teaching English in Korea. Completely on his own in Korea, he learned how to put himself out in the world and take more risks. This would be crucial for his eventual life as an entrepreneur.

Louie started to hone his artistic skills working for the University of Washington. But it was while working for the Muckleshoot tribe where he started to find his calling. He helped paint drums for a giveaway to coincide with the tribe’s hosting of Canoe Journey. Eventually, he turned his passion for Northwest coast Salish art into a sustainable business that while based on his art, is not dependent on galleries.

Most people probably know Louie’s work from the blankets he recently has launched. The demand is through the roof. Eighth Generation blankets have some beautiful designs and more importantly are authentically Native.

I’m inspired by Louie’s work. Not that he is a business owner, or fashion designer, per se, but because he’s been able to create in his own image-being both traditional and modern, not limiting himself to any segment of a market or playing to someone else’s notion of who he is as a Native person. We should all work to be even a bit more like Louie.